Healthcare personnel acceptance and recommendations for influenza vaccine in twelve low- and middle-income countries: A pooled analysis from 2018 to 2020.

Background: Although healthcare personnel (HCP) are targeted for influenza vaccination they typically underutilize vaccines especially in low- and middle-income countries. We explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCP about seasonal influenza vaccines (SIV) to identify factors associated with and modifiable barriers to SIV uptake.

Methods: We pooled individual-level data from cross-sectional surveys about SIV conducted among health workers in 12 low- and middle- income countries during 2018-2020 (i.

Do pregnant persons want influenza vaccines? Knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and practices toward influenza vaccines in 8 low- and middle-income countries.

Background: While vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza infection and adverse outcomes, and despite WHO recommendations to vaccinate pregnant persons, access to seasonal influenza vaccines remains low. We explored knowledge, attitudes, and practices of pregnant persons about seasonal influenza vaccines to inform actions to improve vaccine uptake among this priority population.

Methods: We pooled individual-level data from cross-sectional surveys assessing pregnant persons' attitudes toward seasonal influenza vaccines in eight low- and middle-income countries during 2018-2019.

Factors associated with hospitalization for seasonal influenza in Morocco.

Background: Morocco is actively working towards expanding its influenza vaccine policy to cover high-risk groups, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Aims: We assessed the risk factors for influenza-associated hospitalization for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) that occurred during the last 5 seasons.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, analytical study among patients recruited in the ambulatory and hospital sites of the influenza sentinel surveillance system in Morocco between 2014 and 2019.

Seroprevalence of human brucellosis in Morocco and associated risk factors.

Background And Aim: Brucellosis is a prevalent infectious zoonotic disease that affects humans, livestock, and wildlife in many parts of the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis among farmers and patients attending six health centers in Sidi Kacem province (northwestern Morocco).

Materials And Methods: Blood samples (3-5 mL) were collected.

Influenza-associated severe acute respiratory infections among children under five years old in Morocco, September 2017 to March 2019.

The main aim of this research is to investigate the trend of influenza infection among children under 5 years with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) as well as those who suffer from a high burden of disease. This research is based on a survey conducted from September 2017 to March 2019. During this period nasopharyngeal swabs were collected in a group of 942 children under 5 years with SARI, admitted in pediatric services of 8 sentinel hospitals.

Viral aetiology of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illnesses in Morocco, September 2014 to December 2016.

Background: There is a scarcity of information on the viral aetiology of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) among patients in Morocco.

Methods: From September 2014 to December 2016, we prospectively enrolled inpatients and outpatients from all age groups meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) case definition for ILI and SARI from 59 sentinel sites. The specimens were tested using real-time monoplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction method for detecting 16 relevant respiratory viruses.

Monitoring the safety of influenza A/H1N1 pandemic and seasonal vaccines in Morocco.

Background: A vaccination campaign against pandemic influenza A/H1N1 was implemented in Morocco between November 2009 and April 2010. Overall, 705,883 subjects were vaccinated by , , and . The adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) data comparison was made with the 2014/2015 seasonal influenza vaccination campaign that was specifically investigated.

Evolution of acute lower respiratory infection in children aged < 5 years in Morocco from 2005 to 2014.

Background: Acute lower respiratory infection is a major cause of death in children aged < 5 years in Morocco. The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) was introduced to the Moroccan National Immunization Programme in 2010.

Aims: To investigate the trend in the incidence of acute lower respiratory infection in children aged < 5 years during 2005-2014 in Morocco.

Influenza epidemiology and risk factors for severe acute respiratory infection in Morocco during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons.

Introduction: in order to implement an influenza vaccination program for high-risk-groups in Morocco, as recommended by the World Health Organization, an epidemiological study indicating the influenza virus effect in the development of complicated influenza for subjects with co-morbidity was required. The present study aims to evaluate the risk factors for severe acute respiratory infections caused by influenza in risk groups.

Methods: this research is based on the epidemiological and virological surveillance data of severe acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illness during the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons.

Establishing seasonal and alert influenza thresholds in Morocco.

Background: Several statistical methods of variable complexity have been developed to establish thresholds for influenza activity that may be used to inform public health guidance. We compared the results of two methods and explored how they worked to characterize the 2018 influenza season performance-2018 season.

Methods: Historical data from the 2005/2006 to 2016/2018 influenza season performance seasons were provided by a network of 412 primary health centers in charge of influenza like illness (ILI) sentinel surveillance.

Seroprevalence of Leptospirosis among High-Risk Individuals in Morocco.

Background: Leptospirosis is an anthropozoonotic reemerging neglected infectious disease underreported in most developing countries. A cross-sectional study was performed between 17 and 23 February 2014 to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among high-risk populations in Casablanca (Morocco).

Methods: A total of 490 human serum samples (97.

Evaluation of the Yield of Histopathology in the Diagnosis of Lymph Node Tuberculosis in Morocco, 2017: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The frequency of occurrence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) has been increasing globally over the last two decades. In Morocco, EPTB cases account for 46% of the patients reported with a new episode of tuberculosis (TB). Lymph node TB (LNTB) is the most common form of EPTB.

Decline in childhood respiratory-related mortality after the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Morocco.

Aim: The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of the introduction in 2010 of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) on the reduction in mortality from respiratory causes in children under 5 years in Morocco.

Methods: Child mortality rates from respiratory cause were analysed using an interrupted time series analysis. Mortality rates from congenital and chromosomal causes were also analysed for comparative purposes.

Epidemiology of severe cases of influenza and other acute respiratory infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, July 2016 to June 2018.

Background: Influenza surveillance systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region have been strengthened in the past few years and 16 of the 19 countries in the Region with functional influenza surveillance systems report their influenza data to the EMFLU Network. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of circulating influenza viruses, causing SARI, and reported to the EMFLU during July 2016 to June 2018.

Methods: Data included in this study were collected by 15 countries of the Region from 110 SARI sentinel surveillance sites over two influenza seasons.

Consequences of severe obstetric complications on women's health in Morocco: please, listen to me!

Objective: In Morocco, medical care for women with severe obstetric complications (near-miss cases) ends at discharge from the hospital. Little information exists regarding what happens after returning home. The aim of the study was to assess the physical and mental health consequences of near-miss events on Moroccan women 8 months after childbirth.

Treatment default amongst patients with tuberculosis in urban Morocco: predicting and explaining default and post-default sputum smear and drug susceptibility results.

Setting: Public tuberculosis (TB) clinics in urban Morocco.

Objective: Explore risk factors for TB treatment default and develop a prediction tool. Assess consequences of default, specifically risk for transmission or development of drug resistance.

2009 Pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 in Morocco, 2009-2010: epidemiology, transmissibility, and factors associated with fatal cases.

Background: Following the emergence of 2009 pandemic influenza A virus subtype H1N1 (A[H1N1]pdm09) in the United States and Mexico in April 2009, A(H1N1)pdm09 spread rapidly all over the world. There is a dearth of information about the epidemiology of A(H1N1)pdm09 in Africa, including Morocco. We describe the epidemiologic characteristics of the A(H1N1)pdm09 epidemic in Morocco during 2009-2010, including transmissibility and risk factors associated with fatal disease.

Influenza surveillance among outpatients and inpatients in Morocco, 1996-2009.

Background: There is limited information about the epidemiology of influenza in Africa. We describe the epidemiology and seasonality of influenza in Morocco from 1996 to 2009 with particular emphasis on the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 influenza seasons. Successes and challenges of the enhanced surveillance system introduced in 2007 are also discussed.

Risk factors for tuberculosis treatment failure, default, or relapse and outcomes of retreatment in Morocco.

Background: Patients with tuberculosis require retreatment if they fail or default from initial treatment or if they relapse following initial treatment success. Outcomes among patients receiving a standard World Health Organization Category II retreatment regimen are suboptimal, resulting in increased risk of morbidity, drug resistance, and transmission..

Drinking water nitrate and prevalence of methemoglobinemia among infants and children aged 1-7 years in Moroccan areas.

Context: Nitrate is ubiquitous in environmental media (air, water and soil) and other sources (some medicines, inorganic fertilizers and household's chemicals). It is a hemoglobin-oxidizing agent that can cause methemoglobinemia. The effect of nitrate on infants is well known but less is known about nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia in young children.